iRed – taking drones into schools. Students at Plumpton College in East Susses flying a DJI Tello drone at the Big Bang STEM event
Leading infrared and drone specialists iRed is to take its skills into schools after becoming the first DJI educational partner in the UK.
DJI is a drone specialist that produces suitable equipment to educate youngsters about this fast-improving technology.
iRed, based in Emsworth, Hampshire, will be making the drones and accessories available to schools and educational trusts.
Its staff are also able to work within schools to teach students and can train teachers how to use the equipment.
iRed already works closely with the University of Portsmouth and is recognised by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and Lantra, the land-based and environmental training body.
Now it wants to help educate the young generation to prepare them for the world of work.
Ray Faulkner, managing director of the pioneering tech company, said: “We run a large training centre and becoming a DJI partner was a natural extension for us, and we are delighted to be the first in the UK.
“It is great to help enable children to learn how to code and then to see them watch the fruits of the labour with drones that fly around.
“The DJI Tello EDU drone, for example, offers a fun way for students to learn programming in languages such as Python, Swift and Scratch.
“The collaboration grants exclusive access to the new Tello EDU drone and accessories, specifically designed for schools and educational centres.
“By programming the DJI Tello EDU drone to perform operations solo, or even in swarms, the students can see the results of their efforts happening physically in front of them, rather than just a display on a monitor.
“Jobs that these youngsters end up doing might not exist yet, but we must try and prepare them as best we can.
“We not only work with the University of Portsmouth, but with Coleg Cambria and the University of Plymouth.
“The future is tech and the country needs a workforce that will be at the forefront of it.
“Recently we attended the Big Bang STEM event at Plumpton College and the students were enthralled with the drone; they really do make learning fun.”
For more details contact Ed Baker, Senior Account Director at Deep South Media, on 01202 534487 or 07788392965
Notes to editors:
iRed was founded in 2002 by Ray Faulkner who has pioneered the advances in thermography. The technology was traditionally used to examine buildings for failing insulation and in the electrical sector to check wiring. Now, there are a plethora of applications with iRed leading the field as a consultancy and specialist training centre.
